New Equipment Boosts Production at Seco Machine

Seco Machine recently expanded its production capabilities with the acquisition of a new high-speed horizontal machining center.

Manufactured by Makino, a global supplier of CNC equipment, the new machine "will boost efficiency and support growing customer demand," said EVAN BARKER, mechanical engineer.

The new equipment is initially being used to machine castings for an existing customer, "but it opens up a lot of other long-term options," said Evan.

"Its speed and flexibility open the door to additional work, from expanded volumes with current customers to new business opportunities," he said.

A horizontal machining center has a horizontally oriented spindle and is ideal for high-efficiency, multi-sided production.

The new machine obtained by Seco features a dual-pallet changer, which reduces downtime by allowing one part to be loaded while another is being machined.

"It has a pallet in the machine that's cutting and one outside the machine that's loading," said Evan.

"That means it's cutting at all times, which has drastically reduced production time."

Located in Green, Ohio, Seco Machine provides contract machining and manufacturing services for rail, automotive and other industrial markets. The company was acquired by Stucki in 2010.

Josh Culberson loads the new Makino horizontal machining center as finished castings (foreground) await pressure testing.